WACO -- Kenny Defee had a five yard touchdown run with less than a minute left to lift the Pflugerville Connally Cougars (10-1) to a wild 27-24 win over the Lancaster Tigers (7-4) in the Class 4A Region II Division I Bi-District Playoffs at Waco ISD Stadium.

Lancaster holding a 24-20 lead was looking to run the clock out late in the game but they fumbled twice deep in their own territory giving Connally multiple chances to win the game. Lancaster before the two fumbles also had a punt go zero yards giving CHS a total of three chances to take the lead with a twenty yard field.

Connally was led by senior quarterback Devon Lewis who ran for 111 yards and a touchdown and also threw for 164 yards. Lewis's 67 yard touchdown run in the first quarter helped Connally jump out to a 10-0 lead. Senior receiver Andrew Hellriegel was his top target with seven receptions for 157 yards.

Lancaster used a big play offense in the second half for both scores as Davon Hodge hooked up with Ladarius Newbold for a 29 yard touchdown pass and Jaquawn White for a 48 yard touchdown toss to give LHS a 24-20 lead midway through the fourth. Hodge finished with 190 yards passing for Lancaster. Sophomore RB Joseph Paden started the scoring for LHS with a 47 yard touchdown run to cut the Connally lead to 10-7, but for the most part the Tigers ground game was held in check.

Pflugerville Connally will take on Tyler John Tyler in the Class 4A Region II Division I Area Playoffs on Saturday at 2:30pm at Waco ISD Stadium.

Offensive Onslaught Carries DeSoto to Easy Win

CORSICANA -- The DeSoto Eagles (9-2) offense came out on fire, as they blitzed the Bryan Vikings (6-5) to advance in Class 5A, Division I, Region II Bi-District playoff.

DeSoto's offense was led by quarterback Ryan Polite who passed for 308 yards on 12 of 20 passing. Polite threw two touchwown passes, one for 71 yards and one for 23 yards, and also ran for another. Desoto amassed 539 yards of total offense and scored on six of their first eight possessions.

DeSoto's offense was not only productive but they struck fast, as they had 5 scoring drives of 3 plays or less. Sophomore RB Dontre Wilson was another factor scoring two touchdowns on the ground along with hauling in a touchdown pass for 71 yards.

DeSoto got a score on special teams, as David Watts returned a blocked punt 5 yards for a touchdown. Also, defensive back Bryson Echols returned a fumble 85 yards for a score in the third quarter as Bryan was driving in for score to potentially make the game interesting trailing 40-21.

Bryan's ground oriented attack was led by running back Nate Jones, who rushed for 51 yards, and scored on runs of 1 and 3 yards. Jones also caught a 7 yard score from quarterback Aaron Eike. Wide receiver Kevin Jefferson led the receiving attack with 103 yards, and also caught a 60 yard touchdown pass.

Next week DeSoto takes on playoff nemesis Dallas Skyline, who has eliminated the Eagles the last two years in the area playoffs at a site and location to be determined.